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Saturday, January 16, 2010 |
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Over $400K raised: Djou announces fundraising totals
By News Release @ 7:19 PM :: 13751 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Djou's Dec 31 fundraising figures released this afternoon (below) are more than double Ed Case's Dec. 15 figures. Djou's Dec. 31 cash on hand is 263% of Case's Dec. 15 cash on hand. Hanabusa is a very distant third.
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Saturday, January 16, 2010 |
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Governor disappointed by arbitrator's UPW "split decision"
By News Release @ 11:31 AM :: 6997 Views :: Energy, Environment
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“This is a split decision as far as I’m concerned,” said Governor Lingle. “The arbitration panel went along with our request for pay cuts for employees of some of the most important 24/7 operations at the State Hospital, the prisons, and the youth correctional facility, but ignored the same request for others.
“We are very disappointed that the panel chose to implement furloughs for employees of the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation. A straight pay cut for these employees would be better than furloughs because the nature of the work and the people they serve requires 24/7 attention,” the Governor added.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010 |
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Cook Political Report: Djou is "strong candidate" who has "gotten big break"
By Selected News Articles @ 6:05 PM :: 12764 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Even armed with a strong candidate, Republicans needed a big break to give them any hope of capturing President Obama's native district, which is 11 points more Democratic than the national average. They appear to have gotten one in the form of Abercrombie's early resignation to focus on a gubernatorial bid, which has set up an all-party special election that will likely take place in May. Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou, a Republican, will have the resources to seek a plurality as state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa and former Rep. Ed Case split the Democratic vote.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010 |
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UPDATE VIDEO: Case vs Hanabusa vs Djou -- first AND SECOND Congressional Debates
By Selected News Articles @ 5:48 PM :: 15581 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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VIDEO: Watch the complete 30 minute January 12 debate from Honolulu Public Access TV here.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010 |
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DoE's Charter Cap: Another reason Hawaii likely won't get RTTT funds
By News Release @ 2:07 PM :: 11091 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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This report is actually good news. Because of the DoE/HSTA efforts to crush Charter Schools, the DoE has already done enough to make sure that the RTTT funds--and the accountability requirements that come with them--won't be coming to Hawaii. So they no longer need to force furloughs onto instructional days in order to keep RTTT out.
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010 |
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Political porn: LA Times comes to Hawaii for a quickie
By Andrew Walden @ 1:44 AM :: 13039 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
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Democrats across the nation are on the ropes as Americans turn against Obamacare, taxes, and failed "stimulus." Unemployment and debt race to the top as Obamanomics drives everybody else to the bottom. Terrorism is again rearing its ugly head and the President shows only weakness. Obama's numbers are in the tank and continue to decline. Congressional Democrats are jumping overboard like rats from the proverbial sinking ship and Democrat Congressional candidate recruits are dropping out as analysts debate how large GOP gains will be this November.
In these hard times, where could the liberal LA Times still find defeatist Republicans whose utter demoralization could provide its lefty readers a quick peep at a political porn show to numb their pain?
The small dissident group known as Hawaii Republican Assembly, that's where.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010 |
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Aiona campaign announces "Grassroots Leadership Team"
By News Release @ 3:42 PM :: 20967 Views :: Hawaii County , Akaka Bill, Honolulu County, Democratic Party, Kauai County, DHHL, Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
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HONOLULU – Duke Aiona today announced five county chairs and co-chairs and 13 regional chairs for his growing campaign. The leadership team will provide grassroots support to mobilize and turn out voters for Duke Aiona in the 2010 gubernatorial election.
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Tuesday, January 12, 2010 |
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Gay marriage on trial: Stacking the Deck Against Proposition 8
By Heritage Foundation @ 12:08 PM :: 7308 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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The much-anticipated trial to determine the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 is scheduled to begin this morning in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. What's at stake in this case, filed in federal district court in San Francisco on behalf of two gay couples, is not just the right of California voters to reaffirm the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman, but also whether marriage may be otherwise defined in any state.
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Monday, January 11, 2010 |
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Hey Obama, Who's Freddy?
By Andrew Walden @ 11:40 PM :: 17134 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Is it possible? Did we miss one? With all the Marxists dug out from the very public -- yet very opaque -- story of President Barack Obama's life, could there be room for one more, hiding in plain sight on page 24 of Dreams from My Father?
A Japanese-American man who called himself Freddy and ran a small market near our house would save us the choicest cuts of aku for sashimi and give me rice candy with edible wrappers.
Who's Freddy?
I nominate the late Wilfred Mitsuji Oka, former proprietor of the Corner Liquor Store in Honolulu's Chinatown.
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Monday, January 11, 2010 |
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Case implies Hanabusa campaign is dirty and negative
By Andrew Walden @ 11:07 PM :: 16425 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Endorsing Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) Saturday claimed "She's got integrity. She's a very principled woman." This may come as quite a surprise to readers of Governor Ben Cayetano's (D-HI) autobiography, in which he ties Hanabusa's Broken Trust connections to her dealings on behalf of Jeff Stone's Ko'olina project. But Ed Case's ire was raised to challenge Inouye's "recollection of the facts" on another matter.
In an email blast sent out this morning, Case claims, "There is and must be a better way forward than just more old-style control politics." Case challenges Inouye's recitation of the 2006 Case vs Akaka primary campaign
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Monday, January 11, 2010 |
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Cast Your ballot: Abercrombie nominated "2009 Porker of the Year"
By News Release @ 2:20 PM :: 9671 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Neil with his friends, Mr Broken Trust, and Brother Sandwich Isles.
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Friday, January 8, 2010 |
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Lingle proposes new plan to eliminate Furlough Fridays
By News Release @ 6:45 PM :: 8075 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Under the Governor’s latest plan, up to $50 million from the Rainy Day Fund would be used to restore 12 furlough Fridays – five this semester and seven in the 2010-2011 school year.
An additional 12 instructional days – two this semester and 10 in the next school year – would be gained by using days when teachers are paid to be in their classrooms but do not teach students.
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Thursday, January 7, 2010 |
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Governor nominates DCCA Dir Reifurth to Intermediate Court of Appeals
By News Release @ 6:25 PM :: 8123 Views :: Energy, Environment
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HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today nominated Lawrence M. Reifurth to serve as a judge on the Hawai‘i Intermediate Court of Appeals. Reifurth would fill the vacancy created when Governor Lingle named Judge Craig Nakamura to serve as chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Reifurth’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the State Senate.
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Thursday, January 7, 2010 |
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010 |
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Obamacare, COFA, and the upcoming $350M State budget gap: Lingle vs Congressional Delegation
By Gov. Linda Lingle @ 1:11 PM :: 9895 Views :: Energy, Environment
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In Hawaii, we have some of America’s most generous Medicaid programs – especially for children. Medicaid enrollment jumped by almost 15 percent in 2009, and last spring the State Department of Human Services had to delay $43.5 million in payments for medical care because of a serious budget shortfall.
Nearly one year later, we are still unable to catch up with our Medicaid funding deficit, and it is about to get worse – a lot worse. On January 1, 2011, the boost to states for Medicaid programs from the national stimulus funding will come to an abrupt end after nine quarters. That means Hawaii will stop receiving more than $350 million in federal funds....
If Congress forces Hawaii to further increase Medicaid eligibility and benefits, we could only pay the bill by slashing other government programs or by raising taxes. Neither option is acceptable, in my opinion.
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010 |
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Lack of Law Put Minors at Risk in Hawaii (Is Hawaii a haven for pimps?)
By Selected News Articles @ 12:24 PM :: 8357 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Marcus X Arrington's victim was only 16-years-old when he allegedly forced her into prostitution.
While she can't be named because she is a minor, her story fits the profile of many others. She ran away from home hoping to escape its problems. Arrington allegedly promised to help but instead brandished a handgun and forced her to work for him....To keep her in compliance, she says she was beaten and sexually assaulted by her captor.
Hawaii is one of eight states without a human trafficking law. If this were New York, Arrington would face up to 25 years in jail for this felony offense. Instead, he is charged with promoting prostitution, a crime that can be classed as a misdemeanor and carries a very broad sentence ranging from one day and ten years.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010 |
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Constitutional Amendment: Aiona Proposes Hawaii Elect Secretary of State
By News Release @ 9:09 PM :: 7948 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Currently, voters in Hawai‘i have no direct authority over the Office of Elections. The Elections Commission, which appoints the Chief Elections Officer, is composed of individuals selected by only four members of the State Legislature.
Hawai‘i consistently ranks at or near the bottom nationally for voter turnout.
If passed, the constitutional amendment would give Hawai‘i voters the authority to decide in the 2010 General Election whether or not to establish an elected, nonpartisan Secretary of State.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010 |
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Bennett: New Akaka Bill guarantees years of litigation
By Selected News Articles @ 7:36 PM :: 10607 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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The move ignited a furor in Honolulu. Gov. Linda Lingle and Attorney General Mark Bennett, who found out about the changes just hours before the Dec. 16 House vote, promptly reversed their support for the bill, saying the revisions could endanger Hawaii's economic and legal standing. Both officials are Republicans.
"The new bill explicitly states that it gives the state of Hawaii no authority to tax or regulate the new tribe, while ambiguously stating that nothing in the bill will itself pre-empt state authority over Native Hawaiians or their property," said Mr. Bennett in a statement. "Such a provision would guarantee years, if not decades, of litigation."
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, the state's senior Democratic senator, told local reporters in Honolulu last week that differences were being "ironed out" with the governor's office and predicted the Senate would vote on the amended bill in February. But to date, no final deal has been announced.
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Tuesday, January 5, 2010 |
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Kubo: Governor nominates former Federal prosecutor to First Circuit Bench
By News Release @ 11:30 AM :: 11285 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
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Kubo served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii from 2001 to October 2009, and prior to that was Assistant U.S. Attorney for 11 years. During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kubo focused on major federal criminal investigations such as white collar crimes, mortgage fraud, civil rights violations, tax evasion, corruption, crimes on government installations and violent crimes.
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Monday, January 4, 2010 |
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Case again implies Hanabusa disrespectful, lacking in knowledge
By Andrew Walden @ 11:41 PM :: 13372 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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In an obvious reference to Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, (D-Koolina) Case argues that those who "have suggested that we don't need the special election until our regular primary election on September 18th" demonstrate "not only a disrespect for our rights as citizens, but a basic lack of knowledge of how Capitol Hill works and what's at stake."
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Monday, January 4, 2010 |
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Responding to Abercrombie resignation: Djou "ready and eager" for early Special Election
By Andrew Walden @ 6:30 PM :: 12467 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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"We are ready and eager to bring our message of fiscal responsibility to Hawaii voters in a May special election."
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Monday, January 4, 2010 |
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Abercrombie resignation effective Feb 28
By Andrew Walden @ 5:01 PM :: 17113 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Under Hawaii law a Special Election may be held no earlier than 60 days after a vacancy occurs. That would be Thursday, April 29, 2010. There is no outside limit on when the Special Election can be held. Trailing in the polls, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) has suggested that Hawaii "cannot afford" a Special Election.
Republican Honolulu councilman Charles Djou is leading in the fund race. The other candidate is the widely hated Democrat Ed Case whose failed challenge against Dan Akaka in 2006 still rankles many Hawaii Democrats. Case, who calls Hanabusa "clueless", has already indicated he would again seek a Senate seat if the opportunity arose.
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Monday, January 4, 2010 |
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Mufi chases Neil Abercrombie out of Congress
By Andrew Walden @ 12:45 PM :: 15663 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Abercrombie has handed his ally Ed Case an advantage over Hanabusa in that she will be required to attend to legislative business during the abbreviated campaign and Case has previous experience with the 2003 special election. On the other hand Case is despised by his own Party after challenging Dan Akaka for US Senate in 2006. With two hogtied Democrat frontrunners, the advantage shifts to Honolulu Councilman Charles Djou.
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Sunday, January 3, 2010 |
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AlQaeda celebrates New Year with failed axe-attack on Danish cartoonist
By Andrew Walden @ 7:56 PM :: 10967 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
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September 30, 2005 cartoon drawn by Westergaard became focal point of manufactured controversy starting in February, 2006.
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Saturday, January 2, 2010 |
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Your picks: Our Top Stories from 2009
By Selected News Articles @ 2:30 AM :: 9531 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Here is a complete list of all 38 Hawai`i Free Press stories with unique hit counts over 1000 views. These are YOUR picks for the most interesting stories of 2009--unedited and in reverse chronological order. Of these, 28 are Hawaii state or local news stories and 10 are national news stories.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009 |
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Hawaii: Obamabot wrecks car after flipping off protesters
By Andrew Walden @ 3:00 AM :: 12655 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Lining the streets outside the President's Kailua vacation home Saturday, protesters hoped to send Obama a message against the funding of abortion services in health care legislation now under consideration in the House and Senate. Many passing drivers honked their horns in support, but some devotedly pro-Obama motorists had a markedly different reaction.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009 |
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Drudge Report, Time Magazine point to Hawai`i Free Press
By Andrew Walden @ 2:05 AM :: 13396 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics, World News, Family
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The one church in Hawaii with which Obama does have a family connection is unlikely to be the place where the First Family would worship on Christmas Eve. As a child, Obama occasionally attended Sunday school classes at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, and his family held a memorial service there for his grandmother last Christmas. Conservative critics were quick to point out that the First Unitarian Church has a controversial history — in 1969, the church offered sanctuary to servicemen who refused to go to Vietnam. The refuge was brief, however, as military police invaded church grounds to arrest the soldiers.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009 |
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Hanabusa: "Ed Case not forgiven, should bow out"
By Andrew Walden @ 1:50 PM :: 16780 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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The fight continues over whether Democrats have forgiven former Rep Ed Case (D-HI) for implying Sen Dan Akaka (D-HI) was a feebleminded, ineffectual, ultra liberal during Case's failed 2006 primary campaign.
Case just before Christmas called upon Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) to drop out of the race and called her "clueless". Hanabusa has responded in a December 26 interview with The Hill by calling on Case to drop out and calling him "not forgiven", "not a team player" and "not a consensus builder."
Hanabusa has drawn Rep Neil Abercrombie into the melee, claiming that he is distancing himself from Case.
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Monday, December 28, 2009 |
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Lingle: HSTA/DoE furlough plan "not credible"
By News Release @ 11:39 PM :: 8964 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Today’s proposal being floated in the media would use more than two-thirds of the $50 million offered by the Governor and would only restore five days of instruction. “This arrangement is not a credible plan, it is not fiscally responsible and it is not sustainable,” Governor Lingle stated.
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Thursday, December 24, 2009 |
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Furlough settlement: HSTA-DoE to submit new ransom demands to Legislature
By Andrew Walden @ 2:06 AM :: 9904 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Without re-opening the HSTA-DoE Master Agreement, teacher planning days cannot be eliminated. So it would appear that the HSTA and DOE have simply agreed to grab the $50M--or more--and use it to cut out some of the furlough days without any sacrifice on the HSTA's part. The hostage-takers have gotten together and are presenting a new ransom demand.
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009 |
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DJOU: GOP Pick-up in Obama Country? (Human Events)
By Selected News Articles @ 11:22 AM :: 12932 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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The first special U.S. House election of 2010 will be held in the 1st District (Honolulu) of the state that claims Barack Obama as a native son. And this is what makes the upcoming contest most interesting: It could well be won by a Republican.
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Monday, December 21, 2009 |
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Ed Case announces candidacy -- for SENATE: Calls Hanabusa clueless
By Andrew Walden @ 10:04 PM :: 15810 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Interviewed by The Hill, December 18 Case says: "I’ve never ruled out the Senate. If there is that opportunity, I’m not going to sit here at the end of 2009 and say I’m not going to be a candidate.”
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Monday, December 21, 2009 |
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Fear of Failure: Candidate Hanabusa says "we cannot afford special election"
By Andrew Walden @ 8:22 PM :: 12010 Views :: Maui County, Education K-12, Energy, Environment
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In a bizarre email message to her supporters December 18, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D-Koolina) says there is "real concern" about ... "bankrolling a special election we cannot afford...." She suggests the other option would be "doing without representation in Congress for a year."
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Monday, December 21, 2009 |
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Lingle submits plan to close $1.23B Budget shortfall
By News Release @ 8:03 PM :: 11112 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Cost saving measures totaling $452.3 million for FY 2010 that have already been implemented include reducing specific appropriations, eliminating cash funding of capital improvements, debt restructuring and a comprehensive 13.85 percent restriction on operating budget appropriations. In addition, because 60 percent of the State budget pays for salaries and benefits of State employees, the Administration instituted payroll savings through furloughs and reductions in force.
However, these steps alone are not sufficient to close the expanding budget gap for FY 2010, which now totals $721 million.
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Monday, December 21, 2009 |
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Obamacare Medicaid expansion knocks $41M hole in Hawaii State budget--but Nebraska gets free ride
By News Release @ 2:48 PM :: 9275 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Senator Ben Nelson got an unprecedented deal to force federal taxpayers to pick up 100% of the cost of Nebraska's Medicaid expansion--forever.
(Medicaid expansion in Hawaii? Here's the cost >>> Obamacare punches $41M hole in Hawaii State Budget. Looks like Inouye and Akaka don't have the clout that Ben Nelson has. Too bad they're so liberal.)
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Friday, December 18, 2009 |
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UHERO Hawaii Quarterly Forecast Update: Recovery will not quickly yield tangible benefits
By News Release @ 5:19 PM :: 8198 Views :: Energy, Environment
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While there are now clearer signs of an imminent recovery, risks abound, including possible additional fallout from state and local government fiscal crises and a possible stall in the global upturn. The beginning of local recovery will not quickly yield tangible benefits for many local households. Jobs will still be hard to find for several years, social welfare needs will abate only slowly, and income losses for public and private sector workers will persist for some time.
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Friday, December 18, 2009 |
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Human Events: Only 34 Percent of Hawaii Supports Akaka Bill
By Selected News Articles @ 4:42 PM :: 10639 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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With President Bush no longer wielding a veto and a Hawaiian in the White House, Democrats would need to stumble badly to botch the passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act. Fortunately for conservatives, that's exactly what's happening.
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Thursday, December 17, 2009 |
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Senate Indian Affairs Committee passes amended Akaka Bill--could exclude majority of Hawaiians from Tribe
By Andrew Walden @ 7:21 PM :: 11336 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Like the failed House amendments, the new version of S1011 creates a previously unknown category of "Qualified Native Hawaiian Constituents" which will exclude tens of thousands of Native Hawaiians from membership in the Akaka Tribe while at the same time opening the doors to people who are not ethnically Hawaiian. It is likely that the vast majority of Hawaiians living outside of Hawaii will be excluded from becoming the Akaka Tribe under the rules laid down in Section 12 of the S1011.
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Thursday, December 17, 2009 |
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Lt Gov Duke Aiona releases campaign video biography
By News Release @ 6:21 PM :: 10017 Views :: Energy, Environment
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This 10 minute video lays out the primary themes of Duke Aiona's campaign for Governor. See it here...

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Thursday, December 17, 2009 |
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Senate Indian Affairs Committee to hear Akaka Bill at 9:15AM HST
By Andrew Walden @ 11:31 AM :: 8548 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Will Dan Akaka introduce the existing version of S1011 or will he introduce a new version of S1011 modeled on the version of HR2314 which blew up in Neil Abercrombie's face yesterday?
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 |
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Smith: HSTA seeks to limit after-school programs
By News Release @ 5:41 PM :: 8122 Views :: Energy, Environment
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HSTA has side-stepped the primary issue by proposing to reopen portions of the original contract unrelated to the furlough issue and is seeking changes that would compromise the safety of the children and limit their after-school programs. The HSTA is now saying they do not want teachers to participate in campus and playground supervision responsibilities during lunch hours. And they no longer want teachers to voluntarily participate in school-related activities after the regular school day – such as glee club, debate team, robotics, or prom night.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 |
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Rejected: Akaka rewrite blows up in Abercrombie's face--but original version passes
By News Release @ 4:21 PM :: 12175 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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At the outset of the hearing, Republicans expressed their fundamental constitutional concerns with this effort to create a separate governing entity for Native Hawaiians, and served full notice to Committee Democrats that we intended to use every House rule and parliamentary tool available to us to insist our concerns be heard. Until Representative Abercrombie stated his intentions to not push forward the proposed changes, Republicans demonstrated their dedication to using all tools available to them.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 |
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Hearing stalls as Democrats attempt Markup of rewritten Akaka Bill
By Andrew Walden @ 1:19 PM :: 10557 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Over the years, they’ve both traveled here to Washington, D.C. and testified to Congress in favor of the original text of the bill. Now that the bill has been substantially rewritten behind closed doors, they’ve been compelled to send a five-page letter expressing opposition to the proposed changes the Committee is scheduled to consider today. The Attorney General and Governor have only had the full text of the proposed changes for a matter of, literally, hours. Postponing until February 24th will allow them time to fully review the changes and have their concerns understood and considered by this Committee.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 |
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Live Webcast: House Natural Resources Committee hearings on the Akaka Bill
By Andrew Walden @ 2:17 AM :: 11840 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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The live webcasts will begin approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the hearing. Hearing begins at 5AM HST (10AM EST) Weds December 16.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 |
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Zogby: Majority of Hawaii voters against Akaka Bill
By News Release @ 8:15 PM :: 13458 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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A new poll of registered Hawaii voters, conducted by Zogby International, has found that a majority of those surveyed oppose the Akaka Bill. The poll was conducted from November 18 to 23, 2009. Zogby International surveyed more than 500 registered voters in Hawaii.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 |
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Did Inouye Lie? National Review confirms "Akaka Bill Sneak Attack" claim
By Selected News Articles @ 5:43 PM :: 12492 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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For years (since 1999), Daniel Akaka has been trying to make the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act law. On Friday afternoon, the minority on the House Natural Resources Committee got word that there will be a mark-up on it on Wednesday. Apparently there's an agreement on the bill, but Republicans on the committee haven't seen it. The Hill rumor is that Democrats plan to attach Akaka to the Department of Defense funding bill before this session ends — basically, sneaking it in at a busy, contentious time of year to avoid full debate.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 |
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House Republicans call for Akaka Bill to be removed from Markup
By News Release @ 5:12 PM :: 12452 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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Early last week, an agreement was reached with the Democrat Majority that Wednesday’s markup would consist of non-controversial bills that could be considered quickly. Democrats issued notice on Friday that the Native Hawaiian bill would be added. The Majority has had no communication with Republicans regarding this legislation since they canceled a markup on this bill without explanation in early July....
The magnitude of the changes being proposed deserve careful consideration and an opportunity for all those who may be impacted, especially the people and elected leaders of the State of Hawaii, to properly review the rewritten text. The proposed changes have only been available to the Republican side of the Committee for a matter of days, and the State of Hawaii has had the full text of the proposed changes for only a matter of hours.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 |
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HSTA playbook copied: NY Teachers unions also sabotage efforts to win "Race to the Top" dollars
By Selected News Articles @ 12:05 PM :: 11401 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics
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New York’s stubborn resistance to the data revolution not only harms the education our children receive; it leaves hundreds of millions of federal dollars on the table during a massive budget crunch. The Obama administration’s Race to the Top grant competition will distribute $4.35 billion to states that pursue modern education reforms. According to the competition’s rules, however, any state with a law that prohibits the use of test-score data to evaluate teachers is immediately disqualified from consideration. A state’s application also becomes more attractive under the guidelines if its data set matches students to teachers. Currently, New York fails on both counts.
And so does Hawaii....
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Monday, December 14, 2009 |
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Inouye denies planning "Akaka Bill Sneak Attack"
By Andrew Walden @ 8:31 PM :: 11945 Views :: Energy, Environment
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Dozens of protesters gathered this morning on one day's notice in downtown Honolulu to denounce what they termed an "Akaka Bill Sneak Attack"--purported efforts to insert the Akaka Bill into unrelated "must pass" legislation. In a statement released today Senator Dan Inouye (D-HI) denied the protesters specific claim that he had planned to attach the Akaka Bill to a Defense Appropriations measure and called the Akaka Bill process "fully transparent".
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